What is iSCSI and how does it differ from other storage protocols?

iSCSI, or Internet Small Computer System Interface, is a storage protocol that enables the transmission of SCSI commands over IP networks. It allows the connection of storage devices over a network, typically Ethernet, providing block-level access to storage resources.Here are some ways in which iSCSI differs from other storage protocols:SCSI Compatibility: iSCSI is designed to be compatible with the SCSI protocol, which is widely used in storage systems. It allows existing SCSI-based storage devices to be connected and accessed over an IP network.Network-based: Unlike other storage protocols like Fibre Channel, which require dedicated hardware and cabling, iSCSI uses standard Ethernet infrastructure. This makes it more cost-effective and easier to implement, as it leverages existing network infrastructure.Wide Area Network (WAN) Support: iSCSI can be used over long distances, including across wide area networks. This enables remote storage access and facilitates centralized storage management across multiple locations.Scalability: iSCSI supports the use of IP networks, which are inherently scalable. It allows for the connection of multiple initiators (servers) to multiple targets (storage devices), providing flexibility and scalability in storage deployments.Software-based: iSCSI is primarily a software-based protocol, as it runs on standard network interface cards (NICs) and does not require specialized hardware. This makes it easier to implement and manage, as it can be configured and controlled through software.TCP/IP Reliability: iSCSI uses TCP/IP as its underlying transport protocol, providing reliable and secure data transmission. It ensures that data integrity is maintained and offers features like error detection, retransmission, and flow control.Overall, iSCSI offers a cost-effective, scalable, and flexible storage solution that can be easily integrated into existing IP networks. Its compatibility with SCSI and utilization of Ethernet make it a popular choice for storage connectivity.

What are the advantages of using iSCSI for network storage?

There are several advantages of using iSCSI for network storage:Cost-effective: iSCSI utilizes existing Ethernet infrastructure, which is typically less expensive than Fibre Channel (FC) infrastructure. This makes iSCSI a more cost-effective option for organizations looking to implement network storage.Flexibility: iSCSI can work over existing IP networks, allowing for flexible deployment options. It can be used over local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), or even the internet, making it suitable for remote or distributed storage solutions.Scalability: iSCSI allows for easy scalability, as it can support large numbers of storage devices and expand storage capacity without significant infrastructure changes. This makes it suitable for both small and large-scale storage requirements.Performance: While FC generally offers higher performance, iSCSI has improved significantly over the years and can deliver high-speed data transfers. With advancements in network technologies, such as 10GbE and faster Ethernet speeds, iSCSI performance has become comparable to FC in many cases.Ease of management: iSCSI storage is typically easier to manage compared to FC storage. It leverages familiar IP networking tools and protocols, making it easier for IT administrators to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot storage networks.Compatibility: iSCSI is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. It can seamlessly integrate with existing IT infrastructure and storage systems, providing interoperability across different platforms.Data protection: iSCSI supports various data protection mechanisms, such as encryption and authentication, ensuring the security and integrity of data transmitted over the network.Overall, iSCSI offers a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable solution for network storage, making it a popular choice for organizations of all sizes.

Does the NAS Promise VTrak M300i support iSCSI protocol, and if so, what are the key features and benefits of using iSCSI with this NAS device?

Yes, the NAS Promise VTrak M300i does support the iSCSI protocol. The key features and benefits of using iSCSI with this NAS device include:Flexibility: iSCSI allows for the use of existing Ethernet infrastructure, making it easier to integrate into an existing network environment. This eliminates the need for dedicated Fibre Channel infrastructure.Cost-effective: As iSCSI uses standard Ethernet cables and switches, it is generally more cost-effective compared to Fibre Channel solutions. This makes it a more affordable option for small to medium-sized businesses.Scalability: iSCSI supports the use of multiple Ethernet ports, allowing for increased bandwidth and scalability. This enables businesses to easily expand their storage capacity as their needs grow.Performance: The iSCSI protocol provides high-performance data transfers over Ethernet networks. It leverages TCP/IP to ensure reliable and efficient data delivery, making it suitable for demanding applications.Compatibility: iSCSI is supported by most major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. This ensures compatibility and ease of integration with various systems and applications.Storage consolidation: By using iSCSI, multiple servers can access and share storage resources from a centralized NAS device. This allows for efficient storage consolidation, reducing the need for individual storage devices for each server.Data protection: The NAS Promise VTrak M300i, with iSCSI, supports advanced data protection features such as RAID configurations, snapshots, and replication. These features help ensure data integrity and provide backup and recovery options.Overall, iSCSI with the NAS Promise VTrak M300i offers a cost-effective, scalable, and high-performance storage solution for businesses looking to optimize their storage infrastructure.

Practical Steps for Accessing Files on a RAID Disk When NAS Promise VTrak M300i is Not Online

Name: How to recover data from a Promise
Uploaded: 2025-10-16T08:53:56+03:00
Description: How to recover data from a Promise

Has your NAS Promise VTrak M300i suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Practical Steps for Accessing Files on a RAID Disk When NAS Promise VTrak M300i is Not Online

Data Recovery Tool

Promise VTrak M300i NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an VTrak M300i. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Contents

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
Key Information About the NAS Promise VTrak M300i
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

RAID Recovery™ 2.8

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

Download

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Promise often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

Can natural disasters such as floods or fires result in data loss for NAS Promise VTrak M300i devices?

Yes, natural disasters such as floods or fires can result in data loss for NAS Promise VTrak M300i devices. These devices are physical storage systems that can be damaged or destroyed if exposed to extreme environmental conditions. In case of a flood, the water can damage the device's components and cause data loss. Similarly, fires can destroy the device and make the stored data inaccessible. It is important to have proper backup and disaster recovery measures in place to protect data from such events.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS VTrak M300i can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.
Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise VTrak M300i. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Promise

VTrak M300i has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

RAID 0;
RAID 1;
RAID 1E;
RAID 3;
RAID 5;
RAID 6;
RAID 30;
RAID 50;
RAID 60;
JBOD;

NAS supports:

exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
NTFS / ReFS;
APFS / HFS+;
Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
VMFS / HikvisionFS;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

Overwriting during the recovery process;
Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.
Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Promise VTrak M300i network-attached storage keeps OS Linux operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Product	Operating system	RAID controller support	Supported file systems	Virtual RAID controller support	Data recovery from damaged RAID	File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery	Windows, Linux, MacOS	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS	Yes	Yes	Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 10 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	No	Yes	Yes
R-Studio	Windows, Mac, Linux	Yes, over 20 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery	Windows, Mac, Linux	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 20 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	No	Yes	Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes

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We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3)

Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #

If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS VTrak M300i, feel free to leave a comment!

Reply
Russ Dowell 8.09.2023 10:22 #

Is it possible to recover data from a NAS Promise VTrak M300i device that has been affected by a file system corruption or partition error?

Reply
- Hetman Software 8.09.2023 11:41 #
  Yes, it is possible to recover data from a NAS Promise VTrak M300i device that has been affected by file system corruption or partition errors. However, the success of the data recovery process will depend on the severity of the corruption and the actions taken after the issue occurred.
  Here are some steps you can take to recover data from a corrupted NAS device:
  Identify the cause: Determine whether the issue is due to a file system corruption or a partition error. This can help you choose the appropriate recovery method.
  Check hardware and connections: Ensure that all hardware components are functioning properly and that the device is connected correctly. Sometimes, issues can arise due to faulty hardware or loose connections.
  Use data recovery software: If the file system is corrupt but the hardware is still functioning, you can try using data recovery software to recover the data. There are several software options available that can help you recover files from a corrupted NAS device.
  Seek professional help: If the data recovery software fails to recover the data or if the device has suffered physical damage, it is recommended to seek professional data recovery services. These experts have specialized tools and techniques to recover data from damaged or corrupted storage devices.
  Remember to avoid writing any new data to the NAS device before attempting data recovery, as it can overwrite the existing data and make recovery more difficult.
  Reply

Leave a reply(Hetman Software: Data Recovery).Cancel reply

Updated:
16.10.2025 8:53

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Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Questions and answers

What is iSCSI and how does it differ from other storage protocols?
iSCSI, or Internet Small Computer System Interface, is a storage protocol that enables the transmission of SCSI commands over IP networks. It allows the connection of storage devices over a network, typically Ethernet, providing block-level access to storage resources.
Here are some ways in which iSCSI differs from other storage protocols:
1. SCSI Compatibility: iSCSI is designed to be compatible with the SCSI protocol, which is widely used in storage systems. It allows existing SCSI-based storage devices to be connected and accessed over an IP network.
2. Network-based: Unlike other storage protocols like Fibre Channel, which require dedicated hardware and cabling, iSCSI uses standard Ethernet infrastructure. This makes it more cost-effective and easier to implement, as it leverages existing network infrastructure.
3. Wide Area Network (WAN) Support: iSCSI can be used over long distances, including across wide area networks. This enables remote storage access and facilitates centralized storage management across multiple locations.
4. Scalability: iSCSI supports the use of IP networks, which are inherently scalable. It allows for the connection of multiple initiators (servers) to multiple targets (storage devices), providing flexibility and scalability in storage deployments.
5. Software-based: iSCSI is primarily a software-based protocol, as it runs on standard network interface cards (NICs) and does not require specialized hardware. This makes it easier to implement and manage, as it can be configured and controlled through software.
6. TCP/IP Reliability: iSCSI uses TCP/IP as its underlying transport protocol, providing reliable and secure data transmission. It ensures that data integrity is maintained and offers features like error detection, retransmission, and flow control.
Overall, iSCSI offers a cost-effective, scalable, and flexible storage solution that can be easily integrated into existing IP networks. Its compatibility with SCSI and utilization of Ethernet make it a popular choice for storage connectivity.
What are the advantages of using iSCSI for network storage?
There are several advantages of using iSCSI for network storage:
1. Cost-effective: iSCSI utilizes existing Ethernet infrastructure, which is typically less expensive than Fibre Channel (FC) infrastructure. This makes iSCSI a more cost-effective option for organizations looking to implement network storage.
2. Flexibility: iSCSI can work over existing IP networks, allowing for flexible deployment options. It can be used over local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), or even the internet, making it suitable for remote or distributed storage solutions.
3. Scalability: iSCSI allows for easy scalability, as it can support large numbers of storage devices and expand storage capacity without significant infrastructure changes. This makes it suitable for both small and large-scale storage requirements.
4. Performance: While FC generally offers higher performance, iSCSI has improved significantly over the years and can deliver high-speed data transfers. With advancements in network technologies, such as 10GbE and faster Ethernet speeds, iSCSI performance has become comparable to FC in many cases.
5. Ease of management: iSCSI storage is typically easier to manage compared to FC storage. It leverages familiar IP networking tools and protocols, making it easier for IT administrators to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot storage networks.
6. Compatibility: iSCSI is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. It can seamlessly integrate with existing IT infrastructure and storage systems, providing interoperability across different platforms.
7. Data protection: iSCSI supports various data protection mechanisms, such as encryption and authentication, ensuring the security and integrity of data transmitted over the network.
Overall, iSCSI offers a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable solution for network storage, making it a popular choice for organizations of all sizes.
Does the NAS Promise VTrak M300i support iSCSI protocol, and if so, what are the key features and benefits of using iSCSI with this NAS device?
Yes, the NAS Promise VTrak M300i does support the iSCSI protocol.
The key features and benefits of using iSCSI with this NAS device include:
1. Flexibility: iSCSI allows for the use of existing Ethernet infrastructure, making it easier to integrate into an existing network environment. This eliminates the need for dedicated Fibre Channel infrastructure.
2. Cost-effective: As iSCSI uses standard Ethernet cables and switches, it is generally more cost-effective compared to Fibre Channel solutions. This makes it a more affordable option for small to medium-sized businesses.
3. Scalability: iSCSI supports the use of multiple Ethernet ports, allowing for increased bandwidth and scalability. This enables businesses to easily expand their storage capacity as their needs grow.
4. Performance: The iSCSI protocol provides high-performance data transfers over Ethernet networks. It leverages TCP/IP to ensure reliable and efficient data delivery, making it suitable for demanding applications.
5. Compatibility: iSCSI is supported by most major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. This ensures compatibility and ease of integration with various systems and applications.
6. Storage consolidation: By using iSCSI, multiple servers can access and share storage resources from a centralized NAS device. This allows for efficient storage consolidation, reducing the need for individual storage devices for each server.
7. Data protection: The NAS Promise VTrak M300i, with iSCSI, supports advanced data protection features such as RAID configurations, snapshots, and replication. These features help ensure data integrity and provide backup and recovery options.
Overall, iSCSI with the NAS Promise VTrak M300i offers a cost-effective, scalable, and high-performance storage solution for businesses looking to optimize their storage infrastructure.